Question

unit 1: ecosystem stability

1. provide an example of each of the ecological relationships found in an ecosystem.

a. mutualism:
b. commensalism:
c. parasitism:
d. competition:
e. predation:

Explanation:

Mutualism is a relationship where both organisms benefit, like bees and flowers (bees get nectar, flowers get pollinated). Commensalism is when one organism benefits and the other is unaffected, such as barnacles on whales (barnacles get a place to live, whales are not harmed). Parasitism is when one organism (parasite) benefits at the expense of the other (host), like ticks on dogs. Competition is when organisms compete for resources, for example, two species of birds competing for the same nesting sites. Predation is when one organism (predator) hunts and eats another (prey), like lions hunting zebras.

Answer:

a. Bees and flowers
b. Barnacles on whales
c. Ticks on dogs
d. Two species of birds competing for nesting sites
e. Lions hunting zebras